Seattle Brewery Tour: Georgetown

Georgetown: Seattle's oldest neighborhood and a hot bed of amazing breweries. The rent is cheaper down south and there is more space to brew, which makes this location great for a brewery tour (they are kind of spread out, so you'll want a DD or to plan on a couple Uber/Lyft rides). Grab some friends and head down!

Two Beers Brewing 

With the philosophy, "Life’s a little more honest after two beers," this brewery takes the prize for our personal favorite in Georgetown. Two Beers has been on the scene since 2007 and because of the size of their operation, they have been able to build a pretty amazing taproom compared to other craft breweries. The taproom, named The Woods, has pool, darts, shuffleboard, and a local food truck, Bread and Circuses, has set up shop permanently serving great, greasy food to patrons. They have all their beers on tap along with all the offerings of their sister company, Seattle Cider Co. Plus, dogs are allowed and they have a patio (winning)! There isn't a whole lot they don't offer for someone looking for a cozy place to have a great beer or hang out with friends. 

Our favorite brews: Wonderland Trail IPA and when it's in season their Day Hike Summer Session Ale hits the spot!

Georgetown Brewing

Georgetown Brewing is only a tasting room, so that makes it a different kind of stop on on a brewery tour. Don't get us wrong though, there is a certain appeal to being able to get free beer, even if they are only 2 oz. tasters! Their location is in a large warehouse that also serves as their brewing operation. Walk up the ramp and through the large sliding doors. You can head over to the far end of the counter, show your I.D., and sample up to seven of their beers, without ever taking out your credit card! If you have a growler you can fill it with your favorite pour, but don't expect to be able to catch a buzz or drink a pint at the location. 

Note: On the weekends they are only open until 4:00 PM, so plan accordingly. 

Our favorite brews: Mannys, duh! This is the beer of Seattle and has so many memories attached to it. 

Lowercase Brewing

Lowercase Brewing is located just south of the main drag in Georgetown making it a great spot to stop after exploring the neighborhood. They just opened last year and have a pretty great taproom, equipped with games, a patio, and a comfy couch section for large groups. We are big fans of their beer and their commitment to the community. They also allow dogs and children at their taproom and also serve up their delicious lemonade for any underage guests, which makes it a great spot for families. And to make this brewery even better they hand out free popcorn to help soak up some of the alcohol so that's nice!

Our favorite brews: Their iPA and Honey Wheat win by a landslide, but definitely check out their seasonal tap for rotating goodies.

Machine House Brewery

This spot wins on the list for vibe. Machine House Brewery is located in a portion of the old Rainier Brewery from way back in the day and has giant windows that let in tons of light and a big open taproom that is great for sharing a pint with friends. They brew english-style ales and serve them up in their taproom from rad, old traditional hand pumps. You'll probably notice your beer isn't quite as cold as some others, but don't worry that is traditional as well. Go with it, they know what they are doing here. 

Our favorite brews: Their Golden Ale is good for any occasion, light and refreshing. A great seasonal is their Double IPA, at 9.4% it packs a serious punch and tons of flavor! 

Counterbalance Brewing Company

Counterbalance: The quirkiest of the Georgetown breweries. Their balancing, one legged duck will greet you as you come up the ramp into the industry building that houses their brewing operation. Unfortunately, it isn't a real-life mascot, but it still lends to a pretty fun backdrop to your drinking. Pull up a seat at the bar and get a sampler to experience the wide variety of beers they have on tap. The staff is welcoming and there are games to enjoy. They also let you bring in food from outside places, so we recommend grabbing a pizza to-go from Stellar Pizza beforehand. We really enjoy this spot and hope you will too!

Our favorite brews: The Abigail Blonde Ale is our favorite, but they have some great stouts and IPA's on rotation usually as well! 

FYI: A new spot, Jellyfish Brewing, is set to open sometime this year. Keep an eye out! 

Date Night in the International District

With all the amazing neighborhoods and cool activities to do in Seattle, you think it would be easy to come up with new adventures for date night. But, you know, sometimes you're stuck in a rut. You've been to all the usual spots and need something different. We're here to help! Whether you are meeting up with friends, on a first date, or just need a night on the town with your honey, the diverse and interesting International District is a great place to go. Here are our recs for putting together a night out in the ID.

Activity: Imperial Foot Massage

A massage on a date? Why not! This place is a prize spot in Seattle and needs to be put on your radar immediately. For $27 you can get an hour long, full body massage. Now, this isn't like your typical massage. You will not be served cucumber water and given a luxurious bathroom to change into a fuzzy robe. You will be ushered into a large room filled with other patrons getting massages. You'll stay fully clothed and sit in big pedicure-style chairs that leans back while the masseuse works you over from head to toe spending extra time on your feet. Please note: this is not for the faint of heart. You might wake up fairly sore the next day as they don't hold back. There might have been a few times we wanted to tear up. But for $27, we say who cares! Breathe through it. It's good for you. We also recommend making a reservation as this place is catching on and getting popular.

Other great date activities: Wing Luke Museum, International District Food Tours (daytime only), Pinball Museum, Karaoke 

Dinner: Dong Thap

Beef and Meatball Pho/Pork Bun Cha with spring rolls

Sure, there maybe are nicer places you could take a date, but we love this Vietnamese restaurant for their homemade noodles! You would be surprised at how much those chewy, thick, delicious noodles elevate the soup. You have never tasted a bowl of Pho like this before! We also recommend ordering the Bun Cha, which is a bowl of rice noodles topped with peppery grilled pork, lettuce, spring rolls and covered in a lovely fish sauce. It tastes crazy authentic and fresh. They also have a "Superbowl Challenge" where you can attempt to eat a bowl of pho containing four pounds of noodles, four pounds of meat, and four liters of broth. We don't recommend doing this on your date unless, of course, it's a first date that isn't going well and then you can eat the entire bowl, making yourself sick, and go home.

Other great dinner spots in the I.D.: Tamarind Tree, Green Leaf, Tai Tung

Drinks: Fort St. George

The best part about drinking in the ID is that the cocktails are stiff AF. This Western/Japanese style pub is a bit hidden, you'll find it in the top of an office building. Look for the neon sign in the window. It's the perfect after-dinner drink spot as it is a bit of a dive but in a good, non-scary way. They have a short cocktail list plus your usual liquors and beers. They also have four sakes (hot or cold) to choose from. We like to get a large house sake and a Sapporo! If you are still hungry and need a snack, we recommend the flaming dried squid, which literally comes flaming to your table --uh COOL ,right?! 

Other great drink spots in the I.D.: the bar at Ocean Star (formally Sun-ya), Dynasty Room at Four Seas

Dessert: Dole Whip at Go Poke

Have you guys heard about this Dole Whip business? Apparently this dessert is at Disney theme parks and has a huge cult following....as in people wait in line forever to get this pineapple flavored soft serve treat. Well, lucky for you, you don't have to go to Disney, you can get it at Go Poke (add an extra $7 if you want the souvenir glass). You can also get a Dole Whip float, which is served with pineapple juice. Go Poke closes at 8pm, so plan your date accordingly.

Other great dessert spots in the I.D.: shaved ice at Bambu, bubble tea at Gossip, Taiyaki from Uwajimaya

Alright, go and have a great date night! Expect more neighborhood date night posts to come in the future. 

Seattle Neighborhoods: Georgetown

Georgetown boasts that it is Seattle's oldest neighborhood, starting up in 1851. If you do the math that means they have had 166 years to cultivate something good. Anyone that is familiar with the area will tell you they have done just that. Georgetown is a place you can wander around for an enjoyable afternoon, going from coffee shop, to antique shops, to delicious restaurants, stumbling upon art and intrigue along the way. The people are friendly and seem to talk more and life is just a little bit more quiet down in this southern Seattle neighborhood. We are big fans. Let us take you around the main drag in our neighborhood guide covering Georgetown. 

Food and Drink

Ciudad's funky seating

Ciudad

Places that are this colorful and open always draw us in! Cuidad has a diverse menu and is great if you have meat lovers and vegetarians in your group. When the weather is nice you can enjoy a drink in their sunny, outdoor seating area. Don't miss this unique addition to the Georgetown scene! 

All City Coffee

All City Coffee

This quaint coffee shop is located right in the middle of everything in central Georgetown. It's inviting with its sofas and big windows that let in loads of light. They brew Cafe Vita beans to make some seriously tasty coffee and have a great assortment of pastries and snacks to choose from. 

Smartypants

Smartypants' crazy sandwich menu is the reason people come in, but the cool vibe you get once you're here, paired with the friendly staff is why people come back again and again. They have a great outdoor area you can enjoy when the weather is nice-ish (they do have some covered tables) and don't forget they have brunch with bloodys too! 

Square Knot Diner

Sometimes you just need a giant Bloody Mary and a side of greasy breakfast. If today is that day, head over to Square Knot. They will serve you up exactly what you are looking for. They have "classic diner" down to an art. From the menus to the plates to the food presentation. You'll be reminded of that place you used to go as a kid! 

Flying Squirrel Pizza

Flying Squirrel is one of our favorites in Seattle. Full disclosure there is one located a few blocks away from our office and therefore we might be biased. Nothing tastes better than a pizza after a long days work! But let us try to convince you. Flying Squirrel has traditional and modern pizzas, they have the best roasted olives as a starter and their logo is a squirrel with balloons tied to it. So moral of the story: It's delicious and squirrels are adorable. 

THE CONSERVATORY

The Conservatory is a little cafe in GT with a real character like only Seattle can pull off. We love those places you walk into and they surprise you with their style and decor. Check this place out for a memorable espresso (we love the hazelnut latte) and if you're lucky they might be hosting one of their art events too (calendar here)! 

STELLAR PIZZA

Like any self respecting pizza parlor Stellar makes their sauce and dough fresh every day. They have a classic sign that screams, "We make good pizza!" and you can drink an ice cold Rainier or a local craft beer while you eat your pie. It also doesn't hurt that their "Georgetowner" is legit what we order anytime we create our own pizza, it's like they know us on the deepest level. Try to find something wrong with the place. We dare you!

HITCHCOCK DELI

This is a place people in the know know about in Seattle. Especially if you are a fan of a good sandwich. Because Hitchcock Deli makes a mean sandwich. They have a little bit for everyone on the menu, but they specialize in cured and smoked meats. The cuban, corned beef, and pastrami are all crowd favorites. 

MACHINE HOUSE BREWING

Machine House serves up British style cask ales at cellar temperature, which means these pours might be a little warmer than you're used to. The good news is that higher temp actually brings out some pretty awesome flavors. They also have history in their favor. The building they brew in used to be occupied by Rainier back in the day.

Insider tip: Machine House is only one of several breweries in Georgetown, look forward to our Georgetown Brewery post, coming soon to hear about the rest!

Pork tacos from Fonda La Catrina

FONDA LA CATRINA

Every neighborhood needs a delicious Mexican restaurant. Period. Fonda La Catrina is Georgetown's answer to our love of tacos. Head in and get anything on the menu, it's all full of flavor and the meat will be tender and delicious. Oh and obviously don't finish ordering without getting a Mexican Coca Cola. It's real sugar, so that makes it healthy, right? 

Found on the sidewalk of Georgetown...what does it mean?!?!

9LB HAMMER

Everyone loves this dive bar for the friendly service and the free peanuts. In addition to the free peanuts, there is free shuffleboard. Does it get better than this? Well yes, yes it does. They also have Buck Hunter, so if you like shooting digital deer (or missing them in our case) you are going to be on cloud nine. 

CORSON BUILDLING

The Corson Building is in the same family of restaurants as The London Plane and Sitka and Spruce. If they are the queen and knight of the family, The Corson Building is King. They create one-of-a-kind meals every weekend for a small number of guests. It comes with a price tag, but the experience is worth every dime. 

Shopping

The beautiful Fran's Chocolate shop and HQ

Fran's Chocolate

If you are wondering if there is a heaven, the answer is yes. It's at the old Rainier Brewery on Airport Way S. A few years ago Fran's took over the building as their headquarters and it is now where they create all their delicious chocolate goodies. When you walk in the door you are greeted with a free salted caramel. After you savor it, head over to the cafe and get a hot chocolate. Then buy one of everything from the chocolate counter. 

Insider tip: They host a "Talk and Taste" every weekday at 11AM ($10) where you can tour and hear the history. If you are there at any other time, don't worry, just head to the back of the store and up the stairs. You can watch the chocolate making from a window! 

Search for odds and ends at the Trailer Park Mall

Trailer Park Mall

If you haven't been to the Trailer Park Mall in Georgetown you are missing out on a weird and wonderful place. Picture this: Old trailers (airstreams and campers), put together in a parking lot full of artisans selling their goods. You can get crafts, food, and antiques. Definitely don't miss the Alexandra's Macarons, they are TO DIE for. 

Georgetown Records

This is a great little gem in GT. Filling an old building with vinyl and music records is never a bad idea. Stop in any day and be greeted by the friendly owner who knows all the merchandise and browse the many racks of records. Odds are you'll find something you love (we bought an old school Grateful Dead album and it's awesome)!

Insider tip: They share a space with Fantagraphics Bookstore, which has some serious street cred in the world of comics and graphic novels. Don't miss their shop, whether you are a fan of the genre or not, it's a little piece of history! 

What are your favorite spots in Georgetown? We want to hear them in the comments! 

Georgetown neighborhood art

A scooter on a roof? Why not.

Seattle Neighborhoods: Wallingford

QFC's giant Wallingford sign

Sandwiched in between the U District and Fremont sits a neighborhood full to the brim with great restaurants, shopping, and character. The QFC is even unique, donning a huge neon sign of the neighborhood name. 45th Ave. is the hot street. You can get basically whatever you want within a 5 block stretch from Mexican to Poke. 

TNT Taqueria

This little taqueria has a big time menu and a cute little interior restaurant. You cannot go wrong with any of their fillings, but since we love to talk about food we will tell you our fav. It's the chorizo verde and hominy hash with a Dos Equis on the side. Tacos like these.. you can eat them everyday. 

The Octopus Bar

The Octopus Bar plays into two categories we personally love at RoS Guides: the dive bar and the instagram-worthy bar/restaurant. It's the perfect culmination of PNW charm. We love the Crow's Nest deviled eggs and any of their creative cocktails.

Ezell's Fried Chicken

This is Seattle's premier destination for fried chicken. It's old school, crispy and delicious. I don't think we need to say more. 

45th Stop N Shop Deli

You have to be in the know to wander into this convenience store and know there is more than candy bars and soda inside. There is a secret poke bar in the back and it is a.w.e.s.o.m.e. The fish is high quality and the ingredients blend together to melt in your mouth. Hawaii, we salute you.

Pam's Kitchen

This Caribbean restaurant offers some mouth-watering fare. Beware: If you are looking for instagram-able food, keep walking, these plates aren't beautiful. The cooks are focused more on creating food orgasms in your mouth, so definitely weigh your options. In our humble opinion though delicious spicy jerk chicken plate > pretty food photo. 

Molly Moon's

Molly Moon's is a Seattle staple. Their ice cream is beloved by all for it's unique flavors that are full of sugar and spice and everything nice, but to be honest what truly sets them apart from other ice cream parlors in town is the waffle cone. They are made fresh right in front of you and taste like heaven. Pair it with the cookie dough ice cream and thank us later. 

Ramen Man

What's better than a big, steamy bowl of ramen?  Nothing! This place is delicious and has a variety of ramen to choose from (spicy, miso, garlic, shoyu). In addition to the thinly sliced pork, you can also get an unlimited amount of soft boiled eggs for the soup, which might be the very best thing about ramen in the first place. 

Wallingford Center

Wallingford Center is an old school turned into a retail space. You can't miss the big stately brick building when you are wandering around and there are some great finds inside. 

• Trophy Cupcakes offers up classic and creative cupcakes, so whether you want a perfect vanilla with buttercream frosting or something a little more snazzy, say Raspberry Macaroon, you'll be able to find it here! 
• Bootyland Kids is the type of children's store we can get behind. It is full of imaginative and unique toys and clothes for the little ones in your life. Skip the chain stores and support these guys instead!  
• Crackerjack is a little shop with a gift for just about anyone. If you want to support american craftspeople this is a great place to support. 

Guild 45th Theatre

There are several "neighborhood" theaters around Seattle. Theaters who aren't owned by huge multiplexes and have some old character and charm. Guild 45 is one of those. Don't expect the plush seats and digital ticket kiosks you find at most theaters nowadays though, we said they are charming, not fresh. 

The Sock Monster

Who doesn't love a crazy pair of socks? There isn't much to this place. Actually there is only one thing. Socks. But you know what every human on earth needs at some point in their lives? Socks. And Sock Monster has got you covered in every single way you could imagine. Star Wars socks? Check. Rainbow socks? Check. Seahawks socks. You bet your ass they do. 

Paper Delights

Paper Delights is a great shop for getting beautiful cards and other paper goods like stationary and art. Beyond having a card for every occasion they also host watercolor and calligraphy classes, which are a great night out for girls and you walk away with a new skill and decoration for your home. 

Beyond 45th St. there are still a ton of hidden gems in Wallingford, so don't stop exploring after you get through this list. Some notable places to check out include RoRo BBQ, Joule, and Blue Star Diner. Alright, good luck exploring!